BISD exceeds state in all areas of SAT
BISD’s 2012 SAT composite score of 993 for critical reading and mathematics is considerably higher than the state average of 973. Individual campus composite scores were 998 for Birdville High, 947 for Haltom High, and 1,029 for Richland High. In 2006, SAT added a writing component to the test. Individual campus scores on the writing portion were 472 for Birdville High, 442 for Haltom High, and 495 for Richland High. Both Birdville and Richland high schools scored above the state average in all areas, and Richland scored above the national average in all areas. A total of 647 BISD students took the test this year.
BISD’s 2012 ACT composite score of 21.8 is higher than the state average. Individual campus scores were 22.3 for Birdville High, 19.5 for Haltom High, and 23.1 for Richland High. A total of 418 BISD students took the test this year.
“I am proud of the students’ performance on the SAT and ACT tests,” said Superintendent Darrell G. Brown. “The district will continue to review the progress of our students and will address areas needing additional focus. I am also proud of our staff for the role they play in preparing our students for these rigorous tests.”
In order to help prepare students for the SAT test, BISD will continue to require sophomores and juniors to take the PSAT test in October at district expense. The PSAT test helps the district identify areas where students need additional assistance. In addition, it helps identify potential National Merit Scholars.
“Camp Clearwater”
Thursday, Sept. 20, Dani Webb, North Oaks Middle School’s librarian, and Cindra Wetli, school secretary, sponsored a party for the North Oaks Middle School’s Rising Authors to honor them and their families for their hard work on the novel they wrote last year entitled “Camp Clearwater.”
The students spent from August to January writing the novel and then at the beginning of the second semester, Haltom High School seniors got involved and became peer editors for the Rising Authors. Lesli Bradley, Allison Conaway, Ann Hale and Crysten Caviness worked with more than 300 seniors on this massive undertaking.
Each week, the Rising Authors waited for suggestions from the high school. In class, they discussed, wrote, and rewrote the entire book, which took more than four months to complete. Next, Emily Arnold, Haltom High School teacher, and her photojournalism students professionally designed the book cover. One of her students actually went out in the woods and took the background picture and then the photojournalism students used Photoshop to add in all the kids and teachers who portrayed the main characters for the book. Crysten Caviness worked tirelessly to format it, so it could be in publishable form. Unfortunately, the book arrived the last day of school, so the students didn’t get to celebrate it very much, so Sept. 20 was their first celebration.
The book is available for download on www.smashwords.com or by googling “Camp Clearwater” by the Rising Authors.
ASPIRE Step-By-Step Walking 4 a Cause
Volunteers Enhance Local School Garden
Bank of America helps take learning outdoors at Holiday Heights Elementary with REAL School Gardens
Outstanding 4th-8th Grade Students Participate in 2012 Lone Star Leadership Academy Camps
This past school year, 30 exceptional youth facilitators and 956 outstanding 4th-8th grade students were selected to participate in Education in Action’s 2012 spring break and summer camps. Lone Star Leadership Academy camps took place in Dallas/Fort Worth (4th, 5th & 6th graders), Austin/San Antonio (5th, 6th & 7th graders), and Houston/Galveston (6th, 7th & 8th graders). Selection for the Lone Star Leadership Academy was based on each student’s demonstrated academic success and leadership ability, an educator recommendation, and involvement in school/community activities.
> Lone Star Leadership Academy participants